Thursday, March 6, 2014

New Beer Friday, Dream of Warmer Days Edition (March 7)

Turn your thoughts to beer

By Chris Siciliano

Lately our impulse on the blog has been to reassure everyone, ourselves included, that spring is most definitely on its way. From a psychological perspective, it makes sense—short of moving to Florida, the best strategy for combatting abysmal weather is to continuously reaffirm to each other the fact that winter just can't last forever (can it?).

But if you're like us, the last thing you need after yet another week of brutal cold is one more reminder that spring simply refuses to get its butt in gear. Better just to turn your thoughts to beer and dream quietly of warmer days.

With than in mind, and without further ado, here's the list of the newest beers to hit the shelves at Siciliano's. Enjoy.

New and Returning Beer

Southern Tier Gemini, $3.59/12oz - "High in the winter sky, two parallel stick figures are visible & known as 'the twins,' or the constellation Gemini. The astronauts of the 1960s flew as teams of two in a program named after the celestial pairing. At Southern Tier, we have our own fraternal twins, Hoppe & Unearthly. Blended together & placed in this vessel, the mission of our Gemini is to travel high & take passengers on a journey far into the heavens" (source).

Evil Twin Falco, $4.09/12oz - "What makes a great leader? First of all a perfectly balanced blend of qualities; the ability to stand out - be authoritative without overpowering. Show courage and endurance - you will lead the way and set standards. Very important; be appealing and refreshing to the people. This stereotypical portrait applies whether referring to politics, religion or maybe even this outstanding IPA" (source).

Bells Consecrator Doppelbock, $2.79/12oz - "Consecrator is a traditional doppelbock-style fermented with a Bohemian lager yeast. Reddish brown in color, with a mild hop profile, Consecrator is a well balanced, full bodied beer with hints of caramel and molasses in its smooth, malty finish. Brewed for a Fat Tuesday release" (source).

Schmaltz Death of a Contract Brewer, $7.19/22oz - "Death seems so obvious: the end of life, no mas, kaput. But Humans stand an optimistic animal. Many traditions suggest alternate endings: Resurrection, reincarnation, rebirth, afterlife. Even the atheist view of Eternal Oblivion doesn’t seem quite final, more of a shift in spiritual states of (un)consciousness. As usual, Jewish tradition prescribes… Food. 7 days of family, community, and bagels (beer!), called, Shiva, meaning “7” in Hebrew. The flip side to the 7 days of Creation with the 7th as a holy day of rest. The first meal of Shiva is “the comfort meal.” And the number 7 provides powerful mojo: 7 Jewish wedding blessings, 7 Liberal Arts, 7 Lucky Japanese gods, 7 stars of the Big Dipper, 7 colors of the rainbow, 7 seas, 007 license to kill, 7 dwarves, We are 7 by Wordsworth with a child’s view of death, 7 deadly sins, Best of 7 finals in NBA, NHL, MLB, 7th Inning stretch, #7 on Elway & Tiny Archibald. George Castanza yearned to name his firstborn, “7” as a living tribute to #7 Mickey Mantle. The 7 Award however must go to the immortal George Carlin for 7 Dirty Words, inspired by another hero Lenny Bruce. Coming into 17 years of beer, and Year #1 with our own Brewery, we commemorate this conversion with Death Of A Contract Brewer, our Shmaltz homage to new life – L’Chaim! Jeremy Cowan, proprietor" (source).

Arcadia Whitsun, $1.79/12oz - "Arcadia Whitsun is a modern interpretation of a mid-19th century English spring and summer festival ale. It is light golden in color with a rich, creamy head, full bodied and has a lightly toasted caramel flavor. The addition of Michigan star thistle honey contributes a uniquely smooth drinkability to this unfiltered wheat ale" (source).

Picture of the Week | Submitted by Matt Olthoff

Matt Olthoff: "I brought a bottle of Founders I picked up at your lovely